These VA Communities Ranked Among 100 Best Places To Live

Three small and mid-sized cities in Virginia are among the best places to live, according to a new ranking.

The rankings and city guide Livability.com said its report of the 100 Best Places To Live In The U.S. In 2026 emphasizes affordability and quality of life in small- to mid-sized cities at a time Americans are contending with rising living costs.

The 2026 list highlights communities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 and excludes cities where median home values exceed $500,000, aiming to spotlight places where residents can realistically afford to live.

Places in Virginia that made the last are:

• No. 15: Virginia Beach
  • Population: 457,403
  • Median home value: $386,482
• No. 56: Lynchburg
  • Population: 80,704
  • Median home value: $222,789
• No. 62: Richmond
  • Population: 234,941
  • Median home value: $373,682

Topping this year’s list is Huntsville, Alabama, followed by Carmel, Indiana; Sugar Land, Texas; Naperville, Illinois; and Plano, Texas.

Researchers evaluated more than 2,000 cities using over 100 data points across key categories, including economy, housing, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health.

Livability says the list is designed to reflect places where residents can “thrive,” pointing to shorter commutes, accessible amenities and strong community infrastructure. Unlike traditional rankings, this list is intended to be interactive, allowing users to weigh factors differently based on personal priorities.

The report continues a broader trend of highlighting smaller cities as desirable alternatives to larger, more expensive metropolitan areas, particularly for people seeking a balance between economic opportunity and cost of living.